Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, and an earlier effective date for fibromyalgia. The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is not considered to be related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle injury residuals and bilateral pes planus in April 1979, finding no residuals from the in-service injury and noting that current symptoms were not related to active service.,The Veteran's death was attributed to acute ethanol intoxication. The VA examiner concluded there is less than a 50% probability that his service-connected duodenal ulcer with deformity and irritable bulb contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's National Guard service records and VA/Non-VA medical records. The claims for bilateral foot, right hip, and low back disabilities require remand for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus are service-connected due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been granted service connection with an effective date of June 12, 2013.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have each been granted a separate evaluation at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ulnar nerve entrapment, knee disabilities, shoulder disability, neck disability, pes planus, foot neuroma, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The reduction in evaluation for DDD of the lumbar spine was also found to be improper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability, secondary to service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral foot disability that had onset in service or is related to his active military service.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability that had onset during service. The Veteran's current condition was diagnosed many years after separation from service and there is no medical opinion linking it to service.,The Veteran does not have a current heart condition that had onset in service or is related to his active military service, including his service-connected asbestos pulmonary disease.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension that had onset during service. The Veteran's current condition was diagnosed many years after separation from service and there is no medical opinion linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left leg conditions, as well as a right foot disorder, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the diagnoses and etiology of these conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to determine if the Veteran had treatment for his pes planus in the 1980s at the Long Beach VA Medical Center. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of kidney and an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus right foot and degenerative joint disease of the left foot, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. New examinations are also needed to address the relationship between his claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition, to include depression, is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria and thus an increased rating is not warranted. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to July 26, 2012, is denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has granted higher initial disability ratings of 30 percent for each foot under Diagnostic Code 5284, which is the highest available schedular rating for an individual foot at law. This decision resolves all issues on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is not related to her military service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for metatarsalgia of the left foot is granted, as it is linked to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome of the bilateral hands was granted a rating in excess of 20 percent from October 19, 2012 onwards.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis were granted a rating of 30 percent effective June 28, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA opinion to discuss whether the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disability was aggravated by his active duty service. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination conducted by a different examiner.